From Pat, Merritt Island, FL: Don't worry Shirley, we'll have a great time with or without the others. I share your disappointment that so few have opted to join us. Having finally met so many last year, I am really disappointed that so few will be joining us this year. It has sure made planning and securing a house difficult for Maggie. We still don't know whether to get a house for 10 or for 20. We'd hate to have anyone miss out because we didn't have room for them, but on the other hand, we don't want to be rattling around a 40 room house, much less paying for it. I don't understand either as this was planned by a number of the A2Z family more than 2 years ago. Oh well, let's not let it rain on our parade! Just take care of yourself so we get to meet in Vegas. Hugs, Pat

Shirley, I would so love to meet you and all the A 2 Z gang; but, I am just not able either physically or financially to do so.
Treva
>
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Edited by author 02-01-2010 01:26 PM
Happy February 1! Hopefully the groundhog won't see his shadow tomorrow! I'm really tired of winter. As I type..we just added another 2 inches of snow this morning...grrr!

Miz Shirley, don't fret. Me and Jer will be there, hopefully hearing those bells and whistles in the casino when we win big money! Heh heh..as I cross my fingers! Even though we won't be staying in the house (Jer is a very private person), we'll be able to visit with the gang!

Pat in Merritt Island, I had fully intended on attending the last 2 gatherings, but LIFE got in the way. Sometimes that's the way it goes. And some more may show up at the last minute!

As for our trip the to the "big" city, no success on finding Jer work shoes. No one had his size in stock..(14) Imagine that??? BUT...woo hoo!! I finally got a Red Lobster lunch! Boy did I pig out! Soup was potato bacon, one of the best I've had. And I got the feast thingy, lobster tail, crab legs, shrimp scampi and fried shrimp, with a baked pot and slaw. Oh my! I was such a happy camper! Of course that didn't have anything to do with the Bloody Mary I had..heh heh. AND....with these gift cards I'd been saving, it only cost $4. Yeppers, you read that right FOUR DOLLARS!!! Jer had the broiled chicken and shrimp, since he's on the heart diet thing. I had a bite and that was great too! Can you tell I don't get out much...ha ha. After lunch, casino here we come. I didn't do as good as I usually do..pout pout. I only won $5. But Jer won $100! That's a switch. So I pocketed the chips, cashed them in and put the cash in our vacation fund. He was a little snarky about it, but after I repeated "vacation" about 20 times he relented. Heh heh heh..

On that happy note, I should run to the post office. I picked up this cute little t-shirt for my daughter and I had one of Uncle Bill's pickle corer's left so I'm sending them to her. She wants to make the stuffed pickles for Super Bowl. And I'm taking a batch to a party we were invited to, as well as those Bisquick sausage balls. I've never made the balls, but always hear that they're excellent. I've never had one either, so I guess we'll see.

Everyone have a happy Monday and pray for that groundhog!!

love and hugs
Podunk

Shirley,
I'm so glad I got to meet you on our Washington trip. I'm unable to attend Vegas as Bill & I had already made (and paid for) our usual vacation when the dates were finalized and it's during our Canadian Vacation. That's the way it goes I guess. I'm blessed to have met so many A2Zers and I love everyone I've met. I feel so lucky to have been on the previous trips.
I'll miss everyone so how about you giving everyone a hug for me? Thanks, Pal.
Love,
Pammie

I'm bummed...Pux Phil saw his shadow this morn...BOOOO!!! And I didn't get to the post office yesterday cause of the snow..another BOOOO!! So I'm going to do that right now. Another freezing rain/storm thingy coming in tomorrow night. Oh brother...6 more weeks of this chit??? Gee, I can't wait.... So away I run. I'm so tired of these storms I could spit.

At least the sun is shining today, but still cold, 9° now. :)))

love and hugs
Podunk

La-La: I can't wait for Jer and Mike to meet!! Mike wears a size 13 shoe!! We have a chain here, called Super Shoes, and if they don't have the style shoe you want, they check with the other stores, to see if they have them in your size. BTW, I don't knw what makes you think spring is going to arrive any earlier than it is supposed to!! I assume it comes around the end of March, there?? It comes the end of April, here! Our ground hog will check out the weather the end of March and go back for another 6 weeks!! If you can't stand the cold, come here. We haven't really had such bad weather, this winter. Yes, it was a trifle stormy here the last couple of weekends, but not bad enough for us to be "snowed in"!! Just kept us from venturing out to go shopping in P'burgh, which is about an hour and a half away. Nothing in the Adirondacks is measured in miles...it is all in measured in the time it takes to get from here to there! We are at least 90 minutes away from any big shopping area!

Shirley - Don't be getting too disappointed. Mike and I will be going to LV. We will be staying with my sister, She was a bit disappointed that we weren't going to stay with her, since I haven't seen her for quite a few years.

It is now my bedtime! I hope all of you stay warm and snuggly, if you are going to experience any storms.

Girls, I am not writing this to give you a bad time but I have only worn
my winter jacket about 6 times and that because it was raining. It has been in the high 40-60's here and it feels great as long as the wind stays away. Yes we had 2-4 inches of snow the middle of Nov. It last 1 1/2 days and gave the kids a chance at a snowball fight. Snow was to dry to make snowmen but some dumped water on them to get them made. We got a charge of watching them. I personally can not stand cold. I am not warm
blooded like Buck who can sweat in a snowbank. He sleeps warm and has 2 light blankets and me, I wear socks, sweater, nighty, and sometimes gloves
out of fleece and 3 blankets and a quilt. Talk about opposites. Right now I am looking for a new sweater pattern to knit. I wear sweaters almost
year around. I want one with a shawl collar this time if I can find one on
line. Its hard when I can't drive any more. Grrrr! Take care, Shirley

Happy Birthday Jim D, Washington. May you have a heckuva Happy Day & many more.
Shirley, It has been mild here too.High 30's to 40's but the dampness goes right through me.We didn't have much snow either. But, I think after last year's winter, we really deserved a break.Carol & La-La, soooo this is to say the guys will be the ones talking about shoe shopping, that puts the shoe on the other foot, so to speak, (LOL,just couldn't resist.)
So have made peanut butter truffle brownies this week, & a banana & cornflake muffin recipe that was new to me, also made some honey molasses ABM bread this week too.Tried a new supper popover recipe, not the one I was really looking for. Been doing a lot of kitchen stuff the last 2 weeks.
We are faring well here, for a change.
Bye for now & lotsa hugs, Doe

Thank you Doe

Here I am again, after another 4 inches, but I'm glad I don't live in New England..ha ha..Another 4-6 is forecast for Sun nite. Sheesh. Guess we got our mega storm overwith earlier and now only getting dribs and drabs.

Miz Shirley: Raspberries to you!! If I sent you some yarn, would you make me a prayer shawl?? I know of someone who could really use one. Email me and let me know how many skeins, ok? Thanks

Doe: yer a poop! Shoe shopping for guys??? Phhhttt! I think Jer is worse than me!! And will you share the supper popover recipe?? Sounds interesting.

And for Jim D in WA...(singing) Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JIM!! Happy birthday to youuuuuuu! tee hee.

So I'm off to do a load of laundry, run to the store to pick up some cheese for the sausage balls, and make Uncle Bill's stuffed pickles for tomorrow's Super Bowl party. GO SAINTS!! Opps, sorry. Got a little excited here for a minute....giggles

love and hugs
Podunk

Leasa dear, I would love to knit a shawl for you but will have to ask Nancy and Rita for the directions again. I am so forgetfull at times. Send it when you have time and I will do my best. Hugs Shirley

I will look and find the prayer shawl directions and send them to you Shirley. I am ashamed to admit that I have a shawl almost finished but just haven't picked it up in almost a year to finish it. If you don't feel up to making one for Leasa let me know and this will give me a reason to finish this one and mail to Leasa. I have also put off cross stitching a ring bearer pillow for a dear friend so need to do that ASAP as the wedding is in April.

Not much going on here - just the usual. My son Brian was here over a week when Tom had his hernia surgery so that kept me busy. It has been really quiet since he and the granddog left! My daughter Dana leaves next Thursday for the Olympics. She will be gone until the 28th! What fun!! She is so excited!

God Bless All!!

Wahhh! Rita and Shirley, you both are toooo sweet! Whatever you two decide, you let me know and will reimburse for yarn, postage, etc.

Maggie: it's too weird that today's issue is "chocolate" (which had me drooling on my keyboard) and the Food Network is having a chocolate fest. Geez...Of course, I need to gain a few pounds, so I might raid my stash in the freezer..heh heh Yeah, yeah, I know..but not having teeth for 2 yrs has played havoc with my weight. BUT!!!! I have an appt to get new teeth on Thurs!! Woo HOOOOO! I told Jer that I want to go to every steakhouse in Sioux City..giggle

Baring any unforeseen complications with the weather, that is. It's snowing as I type. Another 2 inches overnite..heavy sigh. But I'm still glad that I'm not in the east.

Well, I got my pickles cored, my stuffin made and the sausage balls in the oven. I thought the balls were too dry so I added more milk. Hmmm..interesting. They smell really good, but I thought I'd bake them now so I could "taste test" and see. Critique will come later.

On that note, I need to shovel a path for lil Molly to potty and take the balls out of the oven.. You all in the east, stay warm and safe!!

GO SAINTS!!!!!!!

love and hugs
Podunk

Thank You Rita for the directions. I have used the one I got every evening and it washes so nice that I just make me another after I knit another cardigan sweater out of teal color yarn. I found just the sweater
I wanted on the front of a golden hands knit book from the 60's but the directions were for the skirt the model was wearing and not the sweater. I
want to knit something patterned with a shawl collar but It seems that is old fashioned and now they are tied, knoted or left open and big gapping neck holes. I am to old to be fashionable and I want comfort and warmth.
phooey on fashion points. Buck gave me 12 skeins of yarn and I want some
thing I can wear with my t shirts and blouses. The last one I made was
kelly green and ragalan with shorter sleeves than the navy one I knit 3 years ago. I live in sweaters. Take care, Shirley

Where does the time go?
I did get excused from jury duty in Pensacola,Fl. I was a happy camper, it was for 3 months[starting March 1st] and 5 days a week[from 8;30 TO 5:3O].That is 150 miles round trip from my house to court house. The cut off for age is 70 and I told them I would be 70 in April, plus I do not drive that far and etc.I do not mind serving locally.
Stan got another deer Saturday pm, so he is processing the meat tonite.
We are going to the other side of Panama City tomorrow to see a couple Stan was stationed in Iceland with back in 1968. They haven't seen one another since, so should be a fun day.
Saw Rita the last two Sunday's at church and we got to visit, was so nice.
We had more rain today and may have sleet on Thursday. I am ready for some warmer weather and sun. Talked to our daughter today and they are having snow again. My cousin in Ellicott City, Md. has over 30 inches of snow and getting more. So guess i shouldn't complain too much. Rita and I both are so cold, we couldn't go back north.
Hugs to everyone. Nancy

Pat, Merritt Island, FL: Good evening Friends, hope you are all staying warm. Well, I did it again! Went to sleep at my computer Friday morning and fell off the drafting stool, fracturing and compressing yet another vertebrae in my back. This one is more painful than the previous two. I am whining, moaning and groaning 24/7. Anita, thank God you and Alice don't have to listen to it this time. Poor Joel is having to wait on me hand and foot. The doc gave me a stronger pain medication this time which, as before, only takes the edge off. I can sleep as long as I don't move, much less turnover. At least I wasn't going anywhere this time. I'm back in the brace again and will be for several weeks. It should ease up in bout 2 weeks. Please say a prayer for me.
      I had friends in from Grand Rapids. MI. last week. She and I have known each other since I was 4 and she was 3. Our parents remained friends all of these years - until one by one they started passing. Margie and I want to keep the family ties tied, as does her older sister. We had a just wonderful 2 days together and next year they will stay in my apartment.
      Shirley, you knitting fool - must be really nice to knit something and it fits! You know you're getting old when you start buying your sweaters for warmth and you shoes for comfort.
      Nancy, congrats on getting off that jury duty. That was dreadful! It sounds as if you are going to eating one heck of a lot of venison this year. Stan must be one quiet fellow and an excellent shot!
      Getting tired and got to go. Love to all, Pat